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1 in 20 children is born with a birth defect or genetic disease. It can happen to any child in any family.

By leaving a gift in your Will, you will be giving these children and their families hope for a healthier future.

Since 1958, our research has led to the introduction of new treatments and improved standards of care that have already saved thousands of children. You could help save many thousands more.

Who Your Gift Helps

Twins Charlize and Isaac were diagnosed with a severe metabolic disorder, propionic acidemia, after ending up in intensive care not long after birth. Both infants became so ill they required a liver transplant, but unfortunately Isaac did not survive. 

Charlize has given her liver cells to Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) for gene therapy research. In the future, one injection could replace the need for a liver transplant - and save the lives of infants like Isaac.

Types of Gifts in Wills

If you are thinking of leaving a gift in your Will, there are many ways you can leave a gift that could be the right fit for you. It’s also important to speak with your family and loved ones about your intentions and to let them know that leaving a gift to medical research that saves children's lives is important to you.

A few examples that may suit your preferences and individual circumstances include leaving:

  • A specific sum of cash or a percentage of the value of your estate
  • A gift of real estate
  • An investment such as stocks, bonds, shares or an artwork
  • A residual gift (the balance of your estate after all other provisions have been met)
  • Or any combinations of these

How To Leave a Gift in Your Will

A will must be carefully planned, drawn up, and executed to ensure your wishes will be effectively carried out.

One of the simplest, most affordable methods of creating a legally binding Will is to access the Safewill online platform. Safewill enables you to write your bespoke, legally binding Will for free, including review of your Will by an Australian Solicitor, and customer support throughout. With this option, after you’ve taken care of your loved ones, you will also have an opportunity to include a gift to Children’s Medical Research Institute. Create your free will with Safewill: www.safewill.com/cmri

You can also contact a solicitor, the Public Trustee, or the Law Society in your state or territory for advice about preparing a Will.

NSW Trustee & Guardian will make your Will and estate planning documents at no charge if you are eligible for a full Centrelink Age Pension, and offer a range of other benefits. T. 1300 10 20 30.

By leaving a gift in your Will to Children’s Medical Research Institute, you will be making a unique commitment to ensure our teams can continue to do vital research to save lives now. You will also be helping to provide treatments and cures for future generations, leaving a lasting legacy.

Essential wording to make a bequest in your Will

“I give to Children’s Medical Research Institute ABN 47 002 684 737 (CMRI) _______% of my Estate free of all duties for the general purposes of CMRI, and the receipt of the Secretary or Treasurer (or other proper officer for the time being) of CMRI shall be sufficient discharge for the executor and the executor is not bound to see to its application.”

“I give to Children’s Medical Research Institute ABN 47 002 684 737 (CMRI) the residue of my Estate free of all duties for the general purposes of CMRI, and the receipt of the Secretary or Treasurer (or other proper officer for the time being) of CMRI shall be sufficient discharge for the executor and the executor is not bound to see to its application.”

“I give to Children’s Medical Research Institute ABN 47 002 684 737 (CMRI) the sum of $_______ free of all duties for the general purposes of CMRI, and the receipt of the Secretary or Treasurer (or other proper officer for the time being) of CMRI shall be sufficient discharge for the executor and the executor is not bound to see to its application.”

Once you have a Will, it is important to keep it up to date to reflect your current family situation and intentions.

If you already have a will and would like to support CMRI without rewriting the entire document, a codicil can be drawn up.

Unless otherwise specified by you, donations in your Will are invested in Children’s Medical Research Institute’s endowment fund, which supports our research in perpetuity. It is a gift that shall forevermore touch the lives of future generations of Australian children.

Let Us Know

When you include a gift in your will to CMRI and let us know about it, you’ll be invited to join our Director’s Circle. You and your loved ones will receive invitations to special events and enjoy a closer involvement with CMRI.

Have you left a gift to Children’s Medical Research Institute in your Will?

If you choose to leave a gift in will to CMRI, we’d be very appreciative if you could let us know as we’d like to have the opportunity to thank you personally.

You can do this by:

  • sending us a letter of confirmation from your Solicitor
  • by getting in touch with us by email, phone, or letter
  • or, you can simply complete this form:
Is there any additional information you would like?

How Your Gift Can Make a Difference

Sources of Fundraising Revenue 2022

Gift in Wills provide Children’s Medical Research Institute with approximately 27% of our philanthropic income.

Donations in your Will are invested in an endowment fund, ensuring financial security to the long-term benefit of the community by supporting our research in perpetuity.

A gift in your Will to CMRI is a gift that will forever positively impact the lives of future generations of Australian children.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions, would like further information, or would like to inform CMRI of your decision, please contact:

Jakki Travers

Associate Director, Planned Giving
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 02 8865 2983 

All enquiries and conversations are confidential.


Arrange a Private Tour of CMRI

If you would like to find out more about our work before making any decisions, I would love to arrange a time for you to visit CMRI’s Research Facility and meet our team. By attending, you'll have the opportunity to hear directly from our researchers about their work and see our laboratories in action.